THE PRESBYTERIAN NEWS

Transcription

1 THE PRESBYTERIAN NEWS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 408 N. Jefferson Avenue Office: (540) Pulaski, VA Web Site: firstpresbyterianpulaski.org Editor & Layout: Doreen Latimer Pastor: Rev. Melissa McNair-King NO. 594 MARCH 2017 **** Dear friends, The season of Lent is upon us, and with that you might be wondering am I supposed to give up chocolate? Should I put away the caffeine even if it s going to make me a grouchy/not-so-nice Christian? What s with eating fish on Fridays? Why does Lent last so long anyway? Easter s not for another month and a half! Lent begins March 1 with Ash Wednesday, and is the period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. For many Christians throughout the world, it is a time of self-reflection and repentance. Some have a tradition of giving up a luxury item like sweets, bread, or meat, as a small reminder of the sacrifices Christ made for us. (The tradition of eating fish on Friday is a way of giving up meat on the day of Christ s death.) But the roots of these practices are even deeper. For ancient Christians, giving up a luxury not only prompted them to reflect on God s costly love; it also enabled them to give more generously to the poor. We know that these two aspects of our Christian calling are never separate from one another. God s deep love for us prompts us to love our neighbors. So during this holy season, I hope you will find a practice that helps you to connect with God and neighbor. Set aside a time for reading Scripture. Be intentional with your prayers. Consider whether there is someone in your life whom you need to forgive or from whom you should seek forgiveness. Give up a daily luxury, so that you can focus more energy/resources on God and neighbor. If you have not been part of a regular worshipping community for some time, this is a beautiful time of the year to make a fresh start. We would welcome you to journey with us, as we look toward the cross and find our hope together. In Christ, Page One Melissa McNair-King

2 From Day Circle by Phyllis Vice: NEWS FROM PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Day Circle will meet on Monday, March 13th, at 11 a.m. in the Manse. We will be on lesson six of Who Is Jesus? Scripture for this lesson is the Book of Hebrews 1-6; We will be making up plates of cookies to take to our shut-ins. Bring two dozen cookies. Bring a sack lunch and stay for fellowship after the meeting. On Friday, March 3rd, Church Women United will be observing World Day of Prayer. The service will be held at St. Edward's Catholic Church. The service begins at 11 a.m. with a pot-luck lunch following. All are welcome to attend. On Sunday, March 12th, our church will be observing the Presbyterian Gifts of Women Sunday with ladies from PW and the congregation taking part. Saturday, March 25th, from 1-3 p.m. at Salem Presbyterian Church in Salem will be the Spring Neighborhood Gathering for the Roanoke Valley, Highlands, and New River Valley Neighborhoods. From Night Circle by Dianne Wallace: ************************************ Night Circle will meet on Monday, March 13th, 6:30 p.m. in the Manse. We will continue the Bible study, Women Who Dare to Believe, led by Phyllis Vice. Please read lesson five, What's Hot and What's Not and today's heroine: A woman with the issue of blood. Please bring a donation for the March service project: The Women's Resource Center. Specific items need are: dish detergent AAA batteries Lysol wipes adult coloring books tall kitchen bags coloring pencils toilet paper paper towels sheets/blankets (twin, full) canned meat (tuna, beef, salmon, chicken) individual fruit cups individual hot cereal (oatmeal) snack bars Our meal theme is St. Pat's green. Suggestions are green foods that start with the same letter as your name, such as: cucumber cream cheese canapés, kale chips, marshmallow pineapple lime jello salad, manicotti stuffed with spinach, green beans, peas and delicious lime pie. Beverage will be provided. Presbyterian Women Praying, Studying, Loving, Serving Page Two

3 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND HAPPENINGS WE WELCOME TO THE WORLD Noelle Elizabeth Latimer born on February 3, 2017 to Andrew and Sarah Latimer. She weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. The proud grandparents are Larry and Doreen Latimer. WORLD DAY OF PRAYER will be celebrated on March 3rd at St. Edward Catholic Church at 11 a.m. A pot luck luncheon will be served. World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement begun by Christian women of many traditions who come together each year to observe a common day of prayer on a Friday in March. Each year a different country serves as the writer of the WDP prayer service. This year it is the Christian women of the Philippines. WDP is supported by offerings given by individuals at annual prayer services organized in each participating country. The offering goes to programs that address women s and children s needs. COMMUNION will be served on Sunday, March 5th. YOUTH GROUP: All youth are invited to the Manse on Sunday, March 5th, from 5:30-7 p.m. for dinner and discussion. We will focus on how to observe a holy season of Lent, using this time to draw closer to God and each other. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME begins on Sunday, March 12th. Please remember to turn your clocks forward one hour. ON SUNDAY, March 12th, we will have a special service celebrating the gifts of women during our regular worship hour. Please come and join us. PLEASE SUBMIT ITEMS to the church office for the April newsletter no later than Monday, March 20th. EASTER LILIES: We will begin taking orders for lilies to be placed in the sanctuary for Easter on March 26th. Please use the order form that will be in the bulletins. The deadline to order a lily will be April 9th. NEW CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION: Please make note of our NEW phone number and address for the church! You can now reach us at (540) , and firstprespulaskiva@gmail.com. CHECK IT OUT! We begin March observing and contemplating the season of Lent, a time of reflection and renewal. We end this time of reflection with the glorious celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in April. What does Easter mean to you? The following books are in our church library and will be on display during the month of March. Check them out! Page Three

4 232.9 HIS His Story: A chronological account of the life of Jesus from Good News for Modern Man OUR Greatest Story Ever Told: A Tale of the Greatest Life Ever Lived by Fulton Oursler PAP Life of Christ by Giovanni Papini STE The Life and Teaching of Jesus Christ by James S. Stewart MAR The First Easter by Peter Marshall CH TAL Tale of Three Trees - An enchanting American folktale about three trees whose wishes come true in a surprising way. DVD RIS Risen - Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a powerful Roman military tribune, and his aide, Lucius (Tom Felton), are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus (Cliff Curtis) in the weeks following the crucifixion in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem. Study Guide available. FIC COS The Silver Chalice: A novel by Thomas B. Costain FIC DOU The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas FIC MAI Pontius Pilate by Paul L. Maier YA HE He Lived Among Us - Story of Jesus told in graphic novel form along with scriptures. YA SMI Men called Him Master by Elwyn A. Smith - Stories of Jesus Christ from the Bible. Includes list of Biblical references. If there is a book you would like to read from our church library but are unable to get it, give Phyllis Vice a call ( ) and she will be happy to get the book to you. To check out a book write your name and the date you are taking the book on the card that is in the pocket in the back of the book. Place the card on the black and white spotted box (the card catalog) on the shelf nearest to the windows. Strawberries & Cream Ice-box Cake recipe submitted by Melissa: Ingredients: 2 lbs strawberries 8 oz cream cheese, softened (room temp) 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk 2 packages (3.4-oz each) Instant Pudding mix Cheesecake flavored 3 cups Milk 12 oz Cool Whip Directions: Slice the strawberries and set aside. Prepare the filling: o Beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk with electric mixer until smooth. o Add the pudding mix and milk, and continue to beat for 3-4 minutes, then let sit for an additional 3-4 minutes until pudding has set. o Stir in half of the Cool Whip (reserve the other half). Arrange 6-7 Graham Crackers on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Top with half of the filling, then top the filling with half of the sliced strawberries. Arrange 6-7 Graham Crackers on top of the sliced strawberries. Top with the remainder of filling mixture. Top filling with the remainder of strawberries. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours. Before serving, spread the remaining Cool Whip on top. Page Four

5 Join us for Wonderful Wednesdays! 6:00-7:30 PM, Fellowship Hall This year, we have been reading about the family of Abraham. Abraham and his descendants were invited into a journey with God, to bless all families of the earth. Sometimes they followed faithfully, and sometimes they made big mistakes. Through it all, God kept God s promises. Come and continue the journey with us every Wednesday night, as we learn from the stories of God! Thank you to those who are serving in March: Date Cooking Team Clean-Up Team Program March 1 Soup Night Larry, Ashley, Phyllis Ash Wednesday Service March 8 Youth Group & Cynthia Andy, Mary, Bonnie Genesis 39-41: Joseph s rise to power March 15 Bruce & Dave Ernie, Barbara, Carla Genesis 42: Joseph s brothers come to Egypt March 22 March 29 Dianne, Phyllis, Jenny, Martha Dianne, Phyllis, Jenny, Martha Robbie, Jessie, Mardia Genesis 43-45: Joseph and his brothers Larry, Ashley, Phyllis Genesis 46-47: Joseph s family moves to Egypt About Ash Wednesday The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. You are invited to a special worship service, as we prepare our hearts and lives for this holy season. You will have the chance to be marked with ashes, an ancient sign of repentance and humility, with the reminder that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. In case of snow We follow the Pulaski County School system s decision for snow days. If schools are closed, Wonderful Wednesdays will not meet. In case of severe weather that occurs later in the day, please check the TV stations or call the church office when in doubt. We will always post cancellations (for either Wednesday or Sunday activities) on WDBJ, WSLS, and Facebook. Page Five

6 Words of Jesus for a Lifetime of Faith Journey through Lent 2017 March 5: Facing Temptation Matthew 4:1-11 Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him. March 12: Gratitude in all seasons Matthew 6:25-33 Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? March 19: Sharing the gifts of God John 4:1-42 Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. March 26: Opening our eyes John 9:1-41 I came into this world so that those who do not see may see. April 2: Trusting God in the face of death John 11:1-45 I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live. April 9: Praise and Preparation Matthew 21:1-11, 26:1-5 You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified. Page Six

7 DATE: LAY READERS: CHILDREN IN WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS: 3/5/17 Joe Zagrapan Communion 3/12/17 Allison Hunter Peg Vaughan 3/19/17 Gene Holt Dianne Wallace 3/26/17 Tom Haller Mary Catherine Williams Page Seven